The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-18
The NALLED-Iy ROOM.
From the Argonaut.


clean white walls. On table, covered with
great napkin of yellow lnen noted num-
Der OF strange objectS-rows of little vials,
ana brown earthen Jar with bits of ice
Through the muslin curtains, which bellied
out from the window in the balmy air, could
see patch of blue sky and the tops of green
trees bending lightly in the breeze. Where
was |? 1t seemed like long dream that L
had had; my head felt empty, my limbs ached,
and could not think.
The man gently lifted my head, and gave me
few drops of some liquid, which L swallowed
with avidty.
"Well, Mr. Furniss," he said, chow do you
feel?'
''Eh, what 2" I cried. "Where am ~"
You are in my house, my dear sir, and we
shall take good care of you. Now" he added,
replacing my head on the pillow, "be quiet and
go to sleep"
gazed at him for long time, and all at
once 1 recognized DR.. Bertram. the celebrated
specialist in insanity. a shudder passed
through my frame. Why was l in DR. Ber-
trans hospital instead of in my home, near
Phoenix Park, with my books, my micro scopes
around me? His hospital was for mad people!
and that sister OF charity, those walls, that
bowl of ice-my God, must be mad! But
why? How?
GLOW long have been here ?" 1 asked, af-
ter time.
For four weeks, Mr.. Furniss. Butyou must
be quiet and sleee. Now do not try to talk"
For a month! Was it possible? What had
happened? Rut even as I asked myself these
questions little by little L went off to sleep,
and l saw, in q billowy meadow, q road cover
ed with blood and bordeIed ON either side with
monstrous microscopes shaped like trees,
,,..n
and catch with severed head, while Dr. Ber-
tram, comically bonnetcd with religious cap,
rode astride of dead body, which reared and
pranced and kicked till he could scarce keep
MS seat.
The hext morning | was better, and day by
day L impr though tho ,ed lat horrible night
mare came to me each night. But it grew less
and less distinct, and in few weeks it almost
ceased to trouble me.
One evening the doctor, whom | had not
seen during the day, seated himself near my
WELL said he, feeling my pulse, "you are
doing famously. I'll have you out, as good as
new, in a few days. But you've had close
shave. 1t has been one of the prettest cases
of cerebral congestion L ever handled-a beau
tiful case. Why, it's wonder you are alive
now. Tell me, how is your memory; can you
remember what happened before you were
brought here?'
CT don't know, cannot think. I have
passed through something fearful. What it is,
i cannot say. From the faint glimmer of recol-
lection that come to me- have the sensation
of having been dead-murderedl o, it is
frghtful. My brain is weak yet. Then, the
child, pretty golden haired child-rolling on
the floor
Come, come, this will never do, said the
doctor. "You can tell me all about it in the
morn"
mo, now DOCTOR" cried. at is coming
back to me- Yes have it now"
Here is an exact transcript of my recital as
told it to DR.. Betram and, later, to the mag
istrate.
You know my passion for natural history.
Well, scarcely week passes that | do not go
into the country botanizing. That dny went
to Glacnevin, where, as you know, the
marshy meadows are rich in curious plants, IN
fuSoria and diatons | was returning, and was
almost in Dublin with my box full of
rare specimens, on which | expected to make a
report that would astonish the botanical socie-
ty, when l saw little girl certainly not more
than or years old, who was all alone, crying
as if her little heart would break. l APP
preached her, but at sghJ of me she redoublcd
her cries. / could sec that the little one was
lost, and that she did not know where to go, so
l spoke to her kindly, and, by dint of prOmis-
ing her unlimited bonbons, got her to tell me
that her name was Lizzie, and that she lived
near BereSford place IN Lower Abbey street.
took her hand, and we soon started off, talk
ing together like old friends. She was a beau-
;
eyes and fair hair, which was cut short over
her eyes and fell in golden ringlets over her
shoulders. She trotted bravely along, her soft,
little hand holding my great, ruddy paw
confdingly AS we walked she told me
markable tales, in which figured big, black
horse, a little knife, q doll and a number Of
people did not know.
Lizzie was afraid she would be scolded when
she arrived home but she was not, and II
was received with transports by her mother,
who was half distracted Never was gratitude
expressed so heartily and pleasantly Who
mas |, where did live, how did | happen to
find her, and a thousand like questions were
showered upon me.
80, Mr.. FurDiss," said the mother, "you are
the savior of my child. How can we express
our gratitude? We are not rich, but such
debt cannot be paid in gold. How happy my
husband will be to repeat my thanks to you.
He is still at his office, but-will you do us a
great Kindness, will you honor our humble
board tomorrow? L shall have sayant here
like yourself, and you two will enjoy each 9th
ers company, J. am sure. And my husband
will be so happy to have YOU
/ thanked her for the invitation and prom
iScd to be on hand.
At the appointed hour was shown into their
modest parlOr and you may be sure the hus-
bands gratitude was no less warmly expressed
than the wife's. And little Lizzie threw her
arms around my neck and showered on me the
innocent caresses Of happy child. Iscemed,
indeed, to be one Of the family.
seemed to be an interesting man-in brief, 1
passed an excellent evening.
The air had been heavy the whole day, and
in the evening storm came on. Thunder claps
succeeded one onother without interruption,
the rain fell in torrents. Whether it was the
effect OF the storm, of the suifocatiDg heat, or
of the wine / had drank, l felt strange mean-
cholly, could not breath comfortably. L was
about to set for home however, for it was late
and my house was at some distance; but they
insisted that / should stay. 1t would be foolish
to expose myself to such a tempest, when L
was not feeling we'll; the mother begged me
with such good grace that felt forced to re-
main and pass the night in that hospitable
house. They ccremoniously conducted mc to
my room and there wished me good night. L
remember even that Lizzie having fallen
asleep in her fathers arms, kissed her little
cheek, palcd by sleep, and her dimpled little
arms.
Left alone, began to undress slowly and
wandering about The room, as ono always does
when one sleeps in a strange place. / felt asif
/ should smother in the close atmosphere of
the room. Before getting in bed wanted to
inhale little of the outside air. and in spite Of
the roaring storm tried TO open the window.